Free decorating scheme

07

Jun

Did you know Islington offers a free decorating scheme for council tenants who are aged over 70, or on disability benefits. The assisted decoration service has been running for years and covers the painting or wallpapering of two rooms of your choice.

Jeanette Young had her kitchen and living room decorated as part of the scheme and was so delighted with the results she helped more than 10 of her neighbours to benefit too.

She said: “Everyone was over the moon. It lifted their spirits. If you can’t do these things yourself, it can get you down and the work builds up.”

Jeanette, who is secretary of her tenants and residents’ association, even helped her neighbours choose the wallpaper and paint with the books provided by decorator Steve Chamberlain.

He said: “We try and help out as much as we can. We don’t like moving people’s valuables, but will lift almost anything else, and all the heavy stuff.”

Steve, who has worked for the council for 40 years, often goes above and beyond the wallpapering. During the time he was working on Jeanette’s and her neighbours’ homes he arranged for a new house number sign to be put up because it was missing. And another time he had a new handle installed on a woman’s home after he noticed her struggling to close the door with her key.